cutten



(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. B. CUTTEN.

GAS BURNER.

No. 394,101. Patented Deo. 4, 1888.

WITNESSES:

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

E. B. CUTTEN.

GAS BURNER.

No. 394,101. Patented Dec. 4, 1888.

INVENTGR Bjr/n5 zlowzeys, mmmm WITNESSES 2 N. PETERS. Phew-mrwgnpw.wmmgrm D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELISHA B. CUTTEN, OF CORRY, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNOR TO J. J. STEYTLER, TRUSTEE, OF SAME PLACE.

GAS-BURNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,101, dated DecemberL1, 1888.

Application filed January 24, 1887. Renewed December 2, 1887. Serial No.256,802. (No model.)

State of Pennsylvania, have invented certa-in new and usefulimprovements in Gaselurnf ers, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to gas-burners on the Bunsen principle, or thosewherein the gas is commingled with atmospheric air before being ignited.My improved burner is also on the regenerative principle, in that theair is heated before it reaches the flame.

The object of my invention is to produce either intense heat or intenselight from the combustion of gas, and especially of natural gas.

One important aim of my invention is to produce what may be called ablow-pipe flame by the utilization of the pressure under which the gasenters the burner, thereby I planes of the lines 3 i and t 4,respectively,

obviating the necessitiv of supplying thc air under pressure,

Itis well known that natural gas is supplied under a considerablepressure, and that it possesses but a slight illuminating' property. theas a means of injecting air under sufficient pressure, and by directingthe flame resulting' from the combustion of the commingled and heatedair and gas against a refractory incandescent body l produce a light ofgreat intensity.

My improved burner or gas-lamp is con' structed with a gas-j et tube ornozzle, by which the jet of entering gas is directed through aninduction-passage, by means of which air is,

drawn in on the injector principle, and with a reverberatory or mixingchamber wherein the gas and air are thoroughly commingled before passingto the burner-tip. Small jets of flame are caused to playr against theexterior walls of the air-induction passage, and the heated products ofcombustion therefrom pass up through an annular space or heating-chamberaround the exterior of the mixing-chamber. Thus the entering air isheated before it reaches the gas, and subsequently the commingled gasand air are further heated before reaching the burner-tip. The burnertipis of any suitable and sufficiently refractory material, and iscontracted to a suffi- My invention utilizes this pressure of i cientextent to hold the mingled gas and air beneath it under sufficientpressure to prevent the occurrence ot' explosions in the mixing-chamber.lVhen the burneris to be used for heating purposes, the tiame simplyissues from the burner-tip; but when an illuminating-flame is desired acage or basket of platinum wire or other suitable incandescingrefractory material is placed over the burnertip in such manner that theheat of the flame shall render it ln'illiantly incandescent. In suchcase, also, a `glass shade should be placed around the fiame in order toprotect it from currents of air.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a side elevation of anilluminating-gas lamp constructed according to my invention and` partlybroken away to show the interior parts. 2 is a vertical midesection ofthe same. Figs. $3 and t are horizontal sections in the in Figs. l and2; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the annularburner for heating the air. Fig. o is a vertical midsection of amodified construction, and Fig. 7 is a horizontal section thereof cut inthe plane of the line 7 7 therein.

I will first describe the lamp shown in Figs. l to This is a standardlamp, or one which projects vertically from an extended base 0r foot,with the Iiame and its inclosing-globe at the top.

Let A designate the base or foot; B, the vertical standard orinclosing-case mounted thereon; C, the burner-tip; I), the incandescin gcage or basket of refractory material, and E the glass globe or shade.

The base A is entered by a gas pipe, F, which passes to the centerthereof and then extends upwardly, terminating in a contracted tip ornozzle, G. On the base A is mounted a tube, H, preferably slightlyconical in form, and which incloses the nozzle G. The space within thistube constitutes the induction-passage (lettered P) for the enteringair. At its top is a contracted opening, j, into the mixing-chamber I.This chamber is formed by a tube, a, of metal or othersufciently-refractory material, the upper end of which is confinedbyatiange, on the burnertip, and the lower end of which is confined IOOby a flange on a small cast ring, c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thisring c has also adownward flange for confining the upper end of the tubeH and projecting arms or fingers c for maintaining it centrally inposition within the inclosing-case B. The space around the tube H andbetween it and the outer case, B, constitutes an annularcombustion-chamber, J and the space within the caseB and-around thechamberI constitutes an annular heatingchamber, J', which forms anupward continuation of the chamber J, having free communicationtherewith through the interstices in the ring c between the arms c. Inthe bottom of the chamber J is an annular burner, K, shown detached inFig. 5. This burner consists of an annular tube or passage, which isperforated with a row of jet-orifices, d d, on its upper inner side, andwhich receives mingled gas and air through an inlet-opening, e, beneath.The gas-pipe F has a jetnozzle, f, directly beneath the opening e,through which flows a small jet of gas, which draws with it a current ofair, and the mingled gas and air enter the burner K and emerge from thejet-orifices d d therein. The gas is here ignited, and the jets of flameimpinge against the exterior of the tube H,`

thereby heating it to a high temperature. The intensity of thecombustion of these jets is augmented by the admission of air through aseries of perforations, h 72 arranged justinside of the burner K. Thejet of gas entering through the nozzle f is regulated by anadjusting-screw, g. The gas entering at considerable pressure by thenozzle G draws with it by induction a much greater volume of air throughthe induction-passage H. The air enters freely through openings yz' inthe base. In its passage through the tube H the airbecomes highly heatedby radiation therefrom and combines with the comparatively cool gas atthe entrance to the reverberatory chamber I. In this chamber, which isof greater transverse area than the opening j into it, the gas and aircirculate and become commingled and at the same time are further heatedby radiation from the tube a, which is maintained at a high temperatureby the hot products of combustion in the inclosing-cham-ber J. Thechamber I is sufciently long to enable the gas and air in flowingthrough it to become thoroughly commingled and to be heated to therequisite high temperature. The commingled gases then flow through thecontracted opening 7c of the burner-tip C and enter the interior of therefractory cage D. The combustion takes place in and around this cage,the flame being mainly confined therein, but extending part-ly outsideof and above the same. The refractory cage or basket is rendered highlyincandescent by the intense heat of the flame, and consequently emits abrilliant and steady white light of great illuminating-power.

The effect of the gas-j et from the nozzle entering under the requisitepressure and drawing with it the proper proportional quantity of air isto render the combustion very intense, the flame having the effect of ablowpipe flame.

Vith natural gas at a pressure Iof four ounces and drawing in about tentimes its volume of air I have produced a light of threehundred-candlepower. If the parts are properly proportioned, the combustion, althoughintense and although the flame appears to be under pressure, as from ablow-pipe, is unaccompanied by noise, irregularity, or other defect; butif the parts be improperly proportioned the flame will blow or hiss orbe otherwise attended with objectionable irregularity. The contractionof the opening k in the burner'- tip should be such as to confine themingled gases beneath it at a pressure sufficient to prevent theliability of the flame burning downward into the chamber I, which, if itoccurs, is attended with a slight explosion or with a series of slightexplosions. If it is found that such explosions occur with any givenproportion, they may usually be obviated by increasing the pressure ofthe gas, or with a given gas-pressure they may be obviated bysubstituting a burner-tip having a more contracted opening. There-expansion of the gases as they pass through this opening necessitatesthat. the refractory cage D shall be expanded just above the same, asclearly shown. If the cage vis not thus expanded the brilliancy of theillumination will be greatly impaired. The cage should extend upwardlyto nearly the height of the flame.

It will be observed that the jets of flame in the chamber J, playingagainst the tube H,

'heat the latter to a high degree, and thereby heat to a hightemperature the entering air before it comes in contact with the gas,and

that the gas is not heated to any degree-un- -til it emerges from thenozzle G and mixes with the heated air. This is important vin theburning of natural gas, since the heating of the gas unmixed with airdecomposes it. I therefore heat the air to a high degree before mixingit with the gas, and thereafter further heat the mixture and maintainVthe same at a high temperature until the cumbustion is effected.

The proper proportion of air is admitted to the gas in the chamber .l toinsure perfect combustion, and the jets from the burner K' formelongated flames, which .climb high up against the tube H, and may evenextend into the chamber J The products of combustion from these flamesascend through the chamber J giving up their heat meanwhile to the tubea, and emerge at the top through perforations Z Z in a metal cap orring, m, which constitutes the retaining device for holding the upperends of the tubes al and B in proper relative positions. Theconsumedgases issuing from these perforations should not be permitted toimpinge upon the incandescent cage D, as thereby they would impair thecombus- IOO ata/1,101

tion therein and darken the incandescence. To prevent this, I form theburner-tip C with a flange or lip, n, projecting radially from it andpreferably curved upwardly, as shown, in order to direct the consumedgases outwardly and away from the incandescent cage.

The glass shade or globe E is held by metallic fingers or brackets p j),attached to the metal cap m, or in any other suitable manner.

The outer tube or case, B, is molded of asbest-us, in order to preventradiation outwardly of the heat emanating from the flames from theburner K. The well-known refractory and non-conducting properties ofasbestus enable me by its use to confine the heat of the regenerativeflames and products of combustion almost entirely to the interior of thecase B, thereby avoiding waste of heat and the inconvenient heating ofthe exterior' of the standard. The asbestus case thus molded may be madeof ornamental shape, such as that shown in Figs. l and 2, and may bevariously decorated upon its exterior. I prefer to japan it exteriorly,applying any desired decoration known to the japanners art.

I have shown the base A as made of cast metal, and combining in onecasting not only the base or Vfoot proper, but also an upright ilange,q, 'for contining the bottom end of the asbestus tube I3, a flange, fr,for confining the burner K, a flange, s, for holding the lower end ofthe tube Il, and a spider, t, consisting of radial arms and a centralboss, torsupporting the nozzle G. The series of air-holes 7i 71 is alsoformed in the base between the flan ges .s and r. The burner K isconstructed of an annular trough stamped or spun from sheet metal andformed with the inclined perforations d d, and united to the base Abetween the flanges q and r. The inlet-opening e, with its funnel-mouth,may be cast in one piece with the base A, or may be made separate andscrewed thereinto.

Although my improved burner is especially designed for natural gas, itis nevertheless equally adapted for use with other fuelgases-such, forinstance, as water-gas, and also lfor ordinary illun'iinating coal-gas.The burner may be adapted for greatly varying pressures, although thebest effects are produced with pressures in excess of those ordinarilyused for the distribution of illuminating-gas in cities. If the pressureof the gas be very low, it will be found advantageous to employ a forcedcurrent of air under more or less pressure, as thereby the brilliancy ofthe illumination and the intensity of the combustion may be augmented.This result will follow in any case from the use of a forced current ofair; but it is very desirable to avoid the neces ty for applyingpressure to the air,

as that involves the employment of special mechanism or of adistributing system of airpipes.

In adapting the burner for different kinds of gas regard must be had forthe proper proportion of air to be commingled therewith,

and the proportions of the parts must he varied in accordance therewith,as well as in accordance with any change in the pressure of the gas. Forexample, while with natural about ten times the volume of air isrequired to insure perfect combustion, with illuminating coal-gas, onthe contrary, only about five times the volume of air .is required.

Yhen my improved burner to be used for heating purposes, the cage I) isremoved from the burner-tip and the shade E is dispensed with. One hasthen a blow-pipe dame of intense heat, which is admirably adapted formany metallurgical uses and other industrial purposes. \\'ith a burnerof three-hundred -candle illuminating-power I have produced a hea-tsufficient for the welding of steel.

I am aware that in Bunsen and regenerative burners as heretoforemademany constructions have been devised for heating the entering air andfor commingling the air and gas.

I have aimed in the construction of myimproved burner to subject the airand gas to the least possible internal resistance consistent with theirproper mingling and preheating.

Fig. (t illustrates a modification of my invention in the form of abracket lamp or burner to be fixed to the wall. The construction doesnot ditter in any essential respect from that. first described. Theprincipal difference is .in the shape ot the reverberatory chamber I,which is here made bulbous instead of cylindrical. The shortening ofthis chamber is undesirable when the gas is at considerable pressure,but is admissible when a comparatively low pressure is used. If thechamber be too short, the flame will burn with a hissing or roaringnoise that is undesirable for most uses. The construction here shown ispreferable whenever for any reason conipactness is desirable, since byenlarging the chamber I laterally, it may be shortened nearly inproportion. I have shown the tube H as being less concd in thisconstruction than in the preceding one, and with the openingj abruptlycontracted, which in some respects is preferable. 'lhe cast base A hereincludes only the spider t, flange s, and burner K, the latter beingcast as an annular tube with its opening e turned toward the center. Thenozzle f projects laterally from the hub of the spider and injects gasinto the opening e. The annular chambers .l J are altered only in shape.The air enters at the bottom through openings z' i in an ornamentalpiece, A', which may be made of sheet metal. The consumed gases emergingfrom the chamber J at the top escape through an open annular space, u,the metal cap `m in the former construction being omitted, and theburner-tip C being formed with fingers '1.1 1; for holding the outerasbestus case, B, at the proper distance. This case B is necessarilymade in sections in order to put it on over the chamber I.

My improved burner may with slight formal IOO IIO

or structural modifications be adapted to forges and to the heating ofvarious things for diverse industrial uses. The expanding of the cage Dimmediately above the opening in the burner-tip is practicallyimportant, since if it be not so expanded explosions are liable to occurin the reverberatory chamber, which explosions are entirely obviated byexpanding the cage at this point.

The cage D may be made of other materials than platinum-sucln forinstance, as magnesia; but the experience that I have had leads me toprefer platinum, in that it is more enduring'. Inst-cad of using a cageor basket iuclosing the flame, any other refractory incandescentmaterial may be employed, either in the form of a solid mass or more orless subdivided and arranged, so that it shall be exposed to the intenseheat of the flame.

The burner-tip C is necessarily exposed to most intense heat, andtherefore should be made of sufficient thickness and of ahighlyrefractory material, in order to enable it successfully towithstand this heat. I therefore make it of fire-clay or otherhighly-refractory substance. I prefer a material that will becomeincandescent upon being subjected to intense heat, in order that theburner-tip may, by its incandesence, contribute to the illuminationafforded by the incandescent cage. This incandescence may be acquired bymak ing the burner-tip of magnesia, which becomes luminous at acomparatively low temperature.

In practice, however, I prefer to make the tip of lime, which,ordinarily, will not be raised to a white heat, but which will provemore enduring than a magnesia tip.

That I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is thefollowing-defined novel features and combinations, substantially ashereinbefore specified, namely: A

l. In a gas-burner, the combination of a gas-inlet nozzle, anairinduction passage around the same, acont-racted opening, amixing-chamber beyond said opening above said nozzle, a contractedburner-tip, a heatingchamber around said induction-passage and mixingchamber, an annular perforated burner at the bottom of saidheating-chamber, a gas-inlet to said burner, and a series ofperforations for admitting air to the bottom of said heating-chamber.

2. In a gas=burner the combination of a gas-inlet nozzle, amixing-chamber into which the jet from said nozzle enters, a contractedburner-tip, a heating-chamber around said reverberatory chamber, anannular perforated burner in said heating-chamber, an air-admissionopening in said burner, and a gas=jet nozzle arranged to discharge intosaid open- In a gas-burner, the combination of a mixing-chamber, agas-inlet nozzle directed toward the inlet to said chamber, a burnentipat the outlet therefrom, an outer tubular case of asbestus arrangedaround said chamber and forming an annular heatingchamber between, and agas-burner in said heating-chamber. i

4:. In a gas-burner, the combination,'with a mixing-chamber, a gas-inletnozzle, and a burner-tip, of an outer tubular case of molded asbestusarranged to inclose said chamber and to form an annular heating-chamberaround it and a source of heat within said annular chamber.

5. In a gas-burner, the combination, with a mixing-chamber, a gas-inletnozzle, and a burner-tip, of an outer tubular case of molded asbestusjapanned upon its exterior, arranged to inclose said chamber and to forman annular heating-chamber around it and a source of heat within saidannular chamber.

6. In a gas-burner, the combination of a vertically-extending gas-inletnozzle, G, airtube H, inclosing it, ring c above said nozzle andair-tube, tube @,forming chamber I aboveV said ring, burner-tip C, andouter case, B, whereby a heating-chamber is formed surrounding the tubeH and a and an independ Yent source of heat in said chamber. Y V. Y

7. In a gas-burner, the combination of the gas-inlet nozzle G, air-tubeH, tube a, forming mixing-chamber I, burner-tip C, outer case, B, baseA, burner K, and perforated metal cap fm.

S. In a gas -burner, the vcombination of a gas-inlet nozzle, amixing-chamber, an inclosing-case forming a heating-chamber around saidmixing-chamber, a jet-burner Within said heating-chamber, a contractedburner-tip at the outlet from said mixing-chamber, vand anoutwardly-projecting flange above the outlet for the consumed gases fromsaid heating-` chamber adapted to deflect said gases away from theflame.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

ELISHA B. CUTTEN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. FRASER, PAscHAL J. FERRARA.

IOO

